The Royal Navy was increasingly concerned about the potential for French naval assets to fall under German control following the rapid German victories in France. In a decisive move to counter this risk, Britain launched a surprise attack on a French naval squadron located in Mers-el-Kebir, Algeria, where four significant battleships were stationed. On July 3, 1940, British naval forces arrived, aiming to prevent these vessels from being commandeered by the German Kriegsmarine. The attack occurred during a critical phase of World War II when the Axis powers were gaining momentum. The British forces, under the command of Admiral James Somerville, engaged the French fleet in a bold strike that prompted swift retaliation. During the skirmish, one battleship, the Bretagne, was sunk, while two other battleships, the Dunkerque and the Strasbourg, sustained damage. Only the battleship Provence managed to escape back to France, avoiding capture. The operation was a strong demonstration of Britain's commitment to maintaining naval superiority and the lengths it was willing to go to thwart Axis ambitions. The naval clash not only highlighted the immediate priorities of the Allies but also reflected the broader consequences of the shifting alliances—where former allies were now potential enemies. The attack intensified the strain between Britain and France, who had earlier been allies against Nazi Germany. It also set the stage for the ongoing battle over naval dominance in the Mediterranean theater. The British action, while militarily justifiable, had far-reaching diplomatic implications that affected post-war relationships among European nations.